Illuminator for a barcode scanner

ABSTRACT

An illuminator is provided, comprising a support frame arranged symmetrically around an optical axis of an optical sensor. The illuminator includes at least one light bar connected to the support frame. At least one light source is connected to the support frame, wherein each of the at least one light source is configured to direct light towards one of the opposing ends of one of the at least one light bar. The illuminator further includes a peripheral cover configured to receive light emitted from the front face of each of the at least one light bar. The peripheral cover is further configured to emit dark field illumination at a low incident angle with respect to a plane perpendicular to the optical axis and to emit bright field illumination at a high incident angle with respect to the plane perpendicular to the optical axis.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application for Invention No. 201710711469.X for an Illuminator for a Barcode Scanner filed Aug. 18, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to barcode scanners and other image capturing devices and more particularly relates to illumination devices for such image capturing devices.

BACKGROUND

Generally speaking, barcode scanners may require some type of illumination device to illuminate a barcode to be read. The barcode may need to be illuminated in such a way that the scanner can accurately read the barcode. However, various methods of illumination may be required based on the type of surface that the barcode is applied to and other factors.

Different products may receive different types of barcodes that are applied in a variety of ways. For example, a direct part marking (DPM) code may be permanently applied to a product. One example of a DPM code is an application of dot peen markings on the surface of the product. The peen markings may be applied mechanically, chemically, or using a laser. DPM codes may be applied using a stamping action, chemical or laser etching, ablation, engraving, or other techniques having the primary effect of creating physically offset surfaces rather than providing a visual contrast between those portions of the surface that contain bar code “lines” and portions that contain bar code “spaces.”

The proper illumination for many DPM codes may include dark field illumination. Dark field illumination is a type of illumination in which light is directed at a low incident angle to the surface of an object on which a code (e.g., a DPM code) is applied. In a sense, the reader or scanner may be able to more clearly read a DPM code when it is illuminated in this manner. In other situations, bright field illumination may be more appropriate, which involves providing light at a high incident angle with respect to the surface of the object.

Therefore, a need exists for illuminators and other types of illumination devices for providing both dark field illumination and bright field illumination. Thus, a code (e.g., a DPM code, a barcode, etc.) can be illuminated in a way that would allow the scanner or reader to accurately read the code.

SUMMARY

In an exemplary embodiment, an illuminator according to the present disclosure comprises a support frame arranged symmetrically around an optical axis of an optical sensor and at least one light bar connected to the support frame, wherein each of the at least one light bar has two opposing ends, two opposing edges, a front face, and a back face. The illuminator according to this embodiment further includes at least one light source connected to the support frame, wherein each of the at least one light source is configured to direct light towards one of the opposing ends of one of the light bars. A peripheral cover is configured to receive light emitted from the front face of each of the light bars. The peripheral cover is further configured to emit dark field illumination at a low incident angle with respect to a plane perpendicular to the optical axis and to emit bright field illumination at a high incident angle with respect to the plane perpendicular to the optical axis.

In another exemplary embodiment, a barcode scanner comprises a sensor configured to read a barcode on a surface of an object, the sensor being defined by an optical axis. The barcode scanner further includes an illuminator configured to provide dark field illumination at a low incident angle with respect to a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the sensor and to provide bright field illumination at a high incident angle with respect to the plane perpendicular to the optical axis. The illuminator comprises a support frame arranged symmetrically around the optical axis of the sensor and a plurality of light bars connected to the support frame, where each light bar has two opposing ends, two opposing edges, a front face, and a back face. The illuminator also includes a plurality of pairs of light sources connected to the support frame, each pair of light sources being configured to direct light towards opposing ends of a respective light bar. The illuminator also includes a peripheral cover configured to receive light emitted from the front face of each light bar and to emit dark field illumination and bright field illumination.

The foregoing illustrative summary, as well as other exemplary objectives and/or advantages of the invention, and the manner in which the same are accomplished, are further explained within the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically depicts an isometric view of an illuminator for use with a barcode scanner, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 schematically depicts an exploded view of the illuminator of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 schematically depicts a cross-sectional side view of one of the light bars shown in FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 schematically depicts a cross-sectional side view of the left side section of the peripheral cover shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 schematically depicts an implementation of the illuminator of FIG. 1 when installed on a barcode scanner, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention embraces various types of illuminators and illumination devices for providing low incident and high incident illumination of a surface of an object to thereby obtain both dark field illumination and bright field illumination. The present invention may be implemented in the field of barcode readers, barcode scanners, DPM code readers, and other code and image capturing devices.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing an embodiment of an illuminator 10. The illuminator 10 may be used for providing dark field illumination as well as bright field ilumination. For example, the illuminator 10 in the embodiment of FIG. 1 may be used with a barcode scanner to provide the dark field illumination and bright field illumination to enable the barcode scanner to adequately capture different types of images on different types of surfaces.

As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the illuminator 10 includes three main sections: a peripheral cover 12, a light guiding device 14, and a support frame 16. The support frame 16 supports light bars around a periphery of the support frame 16 or at least on two opposite sides thereof. The support frame 16 also supports light sources configured to illuminate the light bars. The light guiding device 14 is configured to allow light from the light bars to pass through in a controlled manner to the peripheral cover 12. The peripheral cover 12 is configured to direct the light by reflection and refraction to provide dark field illumination and bright field illumination.

The peripheral cover 12, light guiding device 14, and support frame 16 are arranged symmetrically to define a space 18 therebetween. According to a broader embodiment, the illuminator 10 may include a cover, light guiding device, and support frame on one side, two opposing sides, three sides, or any number of sides of a frame having any suitable shape to provide dark field and bright field illumination. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the space 18 is a rectangular opening surrounded by the peripheral cover 12, light guiding device 14, and support frame 16. The space 18 may also be defined by an optical axis of a barcode scanner or other suitable optical detection device. The optical axis may be a factor of optical elements, such as lenses, filter, etc., of the optical detection device. In some embodiments, the illuminator 10 may be arranged such that the optical axis passes through the middle of the space 18.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the illuminator 10 of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the peripheral cover 12 comprises a top side leg 22, a right side leg 24, a bottom side leg 26, and a left side leg 28. The legs 22, 24, 26, 28 of the peripheral cover 12 may be formed integrally. The cross-section of each leg 22, 24, 26, 28 of the peripheral cover 12 may include a V-shaped pattern. The V-shaped pattern may be designed to provide dark field illumination and bright field illumination when light is provided to each leg 22, 24, 26, 28.

The light guiding device 14 of the illuminator 10 includes a rectangular frame comprising a top beam 32, a right beam 34, a bottom beam 36, and a left beam 38. In some embodiments, the beams 32, 34, 36, and 38 of the rectangular frame are formed integrally as one piece. The top beam 32 includes a first long slit 42; the right beam 34 includes a second long slit 44; the bottom beam 36 includes a third long slit 46; and the left beam 38 includes a fourth long slit 48. The slits 42, 44, 46, and 48 are configured so as to confine the light from the support frame 16 in order to direct the light towards the center of each leg 22, 24, 26, 28 of the peripheral cover 12.

The support frame 16 includes a rectangular frame comprising a top slat 52, a right slat 54, a bottom slat 56, and a left slat 58. In some embodiments, the slats 52, 54, 56, and 58 of the rectangular frame are formed integrally as one piece. The support frame 16 supports a number of light bars and light sources. For example, the top slat 52 supports a first light bar 62 and a first pair of light sources 72A and 72B. The right slat 54 supports a second light bar 64 and a second pair of light sources 74A and 74B. The bottom slat 56 supports a third light bar 66 and a third pair of light sources 76A and 76B. The left slat 58 supports a fourth light bar 68 and a fourth pair of light sources 78A and 78B.

In some embodiments, the light sources 72A, 72B, 74A, 74B, 76A, 76B, 78A, and 78B may be side-emitting light sources configured to direct light into the ends of the light bars 62, 64, 66, and 68. The light sources 72, 74, 76, 78, for example, may be light emitting diodes (LEDs) or other suitable devices for providing light. The light bars 62, 64, 66, 68 may consist of a translucent material, such as plastic, and may be configured to provide an even distribution of light over an entire front face of the respective light bar. More details of the light bars 62, 64, 66, and 68 are provided with respect to the description of FIG. 3.

Each of the light bars 62, 64, 66, 68 includes a back face. The back face of each light bar 62, 64, 66, 68 may be secured to the support frame 16. Each of the light bars 62, 64, 66, 68 also includes two sides and two ends. The ends of the light bars 62, 64, 66, 68 are configured to receive light from the corresponding pairs of light sources 72A/72B, 74A/74B, 76A/76B, 78A/78B. Each of the light bars 62, 64, 66, 68 also includes the front face, from which light is emitted. The front face of the light bars 62, 64, 66, 68 are directed toward the corresponding slits 42, 44, 46, 48 of the respective beams 32, 34, 36, 38 of the light guiding device 14.

In operation, the illuminator 10 may be controlled to provide dark field illumination and bright field illumination when needed, such as when an object or a code (e.g., a barcode) is to be imaged. The illuminator 10 may be illuminated during a scanning or imaging process. Also, the illumination process may involve powering the illuminator 10 on immediately before scanning and leaving the illuminator 10 on until after the scanning is complete. In this way, the illuminator 10 can adequately illuminate the object to be scanned or imaged.

During illumination, power is provided to the light sources 72A, 72B, 74A, 74B, 76A, 76B, 78A, and 78B to turn the sources (e.g., LEDs) on. Light from the pairs of light sources 72, 74, 76, 78 is directed into the respective light bars 62, 64, 66, 68. The light bars 62, 64, 66, 68 are configured to internally disperse light such that light is emitted from the front face of each of the light bars 62, 64, 66, 68 toward the light guiding device 14. The slits 42, 44, 46, 48 of the light guiding device 14 only admit light being directed toward the center of the legs 22, 24, 26, 28 of the peripheral cover 12. The peripheral cover then reflects some of the light to provide dark field illumination and refracts some of the light to provide bright field illumination.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of one of the light bars (i.e., light bar 62) shown in FIG. 2. According to some embodiments, the other light bars 64, 66, 68 may be configured in the same or a similar manner as depicted with respect to the embodiment of the light bar 62 shown in FIG. 3. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the opposite ends of the light bar 62 are arranged to receive light from the two complementary light sources 72A and 72B, which direct light towards each other from the opposite ends.

The light bar 62 may be implemented with a first substrate 82, which may be a translucent material. In some embodiments, the light bar 62 may also include a second substrate 84, which may be used to support a number of cylindrical reflectors 86A, 86B, 86C, 86D, 86E. The cylindrical reflectors 86 may be configured with different radii. In the illustrated embodiment, the cylindrical reflector 86A, located in the middle of the light bar 62, may have the greatest radius. The two cylindrical reflectors 86B positioned on either side of the cylindrical reflector 86A may have the next greatest radius. The two cylindrical reflectors 86C positioned on either side of those cylindrical reflectors 86B may have the next greatest radius, and so on.

Although FIG. 3 depicts the light bar 62 with nine cylindrical reflectors, it should be noted that other embodiments may be realized in which the number of cylindrical reflectors is more than or less than nine. Also, the positioning, radius, and other factors of the cylindrical reflectors may be changed to provide an even disbursement of light onto the front face 88 of the light bar 62.

In some embodiments, the cylindrical reflectors 86 may be replaced with partial cylindrical elements positioned on the bottom portion of the first substrate 82. In this respect, the second substrate 84 may be omitted such that the flat bottom portions of the partial cylindrical elements form part of a back face of the light bar 62, the back face being attached to the respective slat 52 of the support frame 14.

As shown in FIG. 3, light from the light sources 72A and 72B traverses across the interior of the first substrate 82 of the light bar 62 and is reflected off the cylindrical reflectors 86. Because of the various angles of the cylindrical reflectors 86, the light is distributed over and emitted out of the entire front face 88 of the light bar 62.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view illustrating an embodiment of the left side leg 28 of the peripheral cover 12 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. According to some embodiments, the top side leg 22, right side leg 24, and bottom side leg 26 may be configured according to the same manner in which the left side leg 28 is implemented, except for being rotated such that a straight wall of each leg is directed inward toward the space 18 in the center of the illuminator 10.

Each leg 22, 24, 26, 28 may be configured as a solid transparent or translucent piece. As shown in FIG. 4, the solid piece that forms leg 28 includes a slanted face 90 and a substantially vertical face 92. The slanted face 90 may be angled at about 45 degrees and may be a partially reflective and partially refractive surface. The slanted face 90 splits the light into dark field illumination and bright field illumination. The bright field light is refracted through the slanted face 90. The dark field light is reflected internally from the slanted face 90 and exits through the substantially vertical face 92.

Light from the respective light bar 68 passes through the respective slit 48 of the corresponding beam 38 of the light guiding device 14. The light passing through the slit 48 passes into the body of the left side leg 28. Some of the light is refracted through the slanted face 90, which is directed as bright field illumination in approximately the same direction as the optical axis that also defines an axis of the illuminator 10. Other portions of the light are reflected from the slanted face 90 and are then refracted through the vertical face 92, which are then directed as dark field illumination in a direction approximately perpendicular to the optical axis.

The angles of the slanted face 90 and substantially vertical face 92 can be optimally designed to achieve desirable dark field and bright field illumination. Also, a surface coating may be applied on the slanted face 90 or on other outer surfaces of the leg 28 to achieve desirable reflective and refractive properties. The vertical face 92 may include a small angle with respect to the optical axis to achieve refractive properties resulting in desirable dark field illumination.

FIG. 5 shows an implementation of the illuminator 10, whereby the illuminator 10 is installed on a barcode scanner 96. The illuminator 10 may be attached to an inside portion of a window 98 of the barcode scanner 96 or may be attached to an outside portion of the window 98. The illuminator 10 may be configured to include various sizes and shapes so that the illuminator conforms to certain types of barcode scanners. The illuminator 10 may have the same dimensions as portions of the window 98 to allow for a proper fit. In other embodiments, the illuminator 10 may be attached to other devices in which dark field illumination and bright field illumination are needed, such as cameras, video cameras, imaging devices, etc.

Therefore, in light of the above description, the illuminator 10 may comprise the support frame 14 arranged symmetrically around an optical axis of an optical sensor. The illuminator 10 may also comprise at least one light bar (e.g., light bars 62, 64, 66, 68) connected to the support frame 14, each of the light bars having two opposing ends, two opposing edges, a front face, and a back face. The illuminator 10 also includes at least one light source (e.g., light sources 72A, 72B, 74A, 74B, 76A, 76B, 78A, 78B) connected to the support frame 14. Each of the light sources 72, 74, 76, 78 is configured to direct light towards one of the opposing ends of one of the light bars 62, 64, 66, 68. The illuminator 10 also includes a peripheral cover 12 configured to receive light emitted from the front face of each of the light bars 62, 64, 66, 68. The peripheral cover 12 is further configured to emit dark field illumination at a low incident angle with respect to a plane perpendicular to the optical axis and to emit bright field illumination at a high incident angle with respect to the plane perpendicular to the optical axis.

The illuminator 10 may further comprise the light guiding device 14 arranged between the support frame 16 and the peripheral cover 12. The light guiding device 14 may comprise a plurality of slits 42, 44, 46, 48 arranged adjacent to the at least one light bar 62, 64, 66, 68. The slits 42, 44, 46, 48 may be configured to allow light to pass from the at least one light bar 62, 64, 66, 68 to the peripheral cover 12. The light guiding device 14 may be configured to prevent light from passing directly from the at least one light source 72, 74, 76, 78 to the peripheral cover 12.

Furthermore, the support frame 16 may comprise a top panel 52, a right panel 54, a bottom panel 56, and a left panel 58 and may be arranged symmetrically around the optical axis. The first light bar 62 may be connected to the top panel 52 of the support frame 16, the second light bar 64 may be connected to the right panel 54 of the support frame 16, the third light bar 66 may be connected to the bottom panel 56 of the support frame 16, and the fourth light bar 68 may be connected to the left panel 58 of the support frame 16.

As mentioned above, two light sources may be associated with each light bar 62, 64, 66, 68, a first light source 72A, 74A, 76A, 78A being configured to emit light towards a first end of the respective light bar 62, 64, 66, 68 and a second light source 72B, 74B, 76B, 78B being configured to emit light towards a second end of each of the respective light bars 62, 64, 66, 68. The at least one light source may comprise a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs).

Each of the at least one light bar 62, 64, 66, 68 may include a plurality of cylindrical light-reflecting elements 86 configured to reflect light from the opposing ends of the respective light bar 62, 64, 66, 68 to the front face 88 of the respective light bar 62, 64, 66, 68. The cylindrical light-reflecting elements 86 may be arranged on the back face of the respective light bar 62, 64, 66, 68. The cylindrical light-reflecting elements 86 may comprise cylinders having different radii. The cylindrical light-reflecting elements 86 are designed to achieve even light density across the entire front face of the light bars 62, 64, 66, 68.

In some embodiments, the optical sensor may be a barcode scanner. The barcode scanner may be configured to read direct part marking (DPM) symbology on the surface of an object.

According to the above description, the present invention may also be directed to the barcode scanner 96. The barcode scanner 96 in these embodiments may comprise a sensor configured to read a barcode on a surface of an object. The sensor may be defined by an optical axis. The barcode scanner 96 may also include an illuminator (e.g., illuminator 10) configured to provide dark field illumination at a low incident angle with respect to a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the sensor and to provide bright field illumination at a high incident angle with respect to the plane perpendicular to the optical axis. The illuminator 10 may comprise the support frame 16 arranged symmetrically around the optical axis of the sensor. The illuminator 10 may also comprise one or more of the plurality of light bars 62, 64, 66, 68 connected to the support frame 16, wherein each light bar has two opposing ends, two opposing edges, a front face, and a back face. The plurality of pairs of light sources 72A/72B, 74A/74B, 76A/76B, 78A/78B may be connected to the support frame 16, wherein each pair of light sources is configured to direct light towards opposing ends of a respective light bar 62, 64, 66, 68. The illuminator 10 may also include a peripheral cover 12 configured to receive light emitted from the front face of each light bar 62, 64, 66, 68 and to emit dark field illumination and bright field illumination.

The illuminator 10 of the barcode scanner 96 may further comprise the light guiding device 14 arranged between the support frame 16 and the peripheral cover 12. The light guiding device 14 may comprise the plurality of slits 42, 44, 46, 48 arranged adjacent to the plurality of light bars 62, 64, 66, 68. The slits 42, 44, 46, 48 may be configured to allow light to pass from the plurality of light bars 62, 64, 66, 68 to the peripheral cover 12. The light guiding device 14 may be configured to prevent light from passing directly from the plurality of pairs of light sources 72, 74, 76, 78 to the peripheral cover 12.

The plurality of light bars may include first, second, third, and fourth light bars 62, 64, 66, 68, and the support frame 16 of the illuminator 10 may comprise a top panel 52 connected to the back face of the first light bar 62, a right panel 54 connected to the back face of the second light bar 64, a bottom panel 56 connected to the back face of the third light bar 66, and a left panel 58 connected to the back face of the fourth light bar 68.

The pairs of light sources 72, 74, 76, 78 may be light emitting diodes (LEDs). Each light bar 62, 64, 66, 68 may include the plurality of cylindrical light-reflecting elements 86A, 86B, 86C, 86D, 86E configured to reflect light from the opposing ends of the respective light bar to the front face of the respective light bar. The cylindrical light-reflecting elements 86 of each light bar may comprise cylinders having different radii arranged on the back face of the respective light bar or supported by the second substrate 84. According to some embodiments, the sensor of the barcode scanner 96 may be configured to read direct part marking (DPM) symbology on the surface of an object.

To supplement the present disclosure, this application incorporates entirely by reference the following commonly assigned patents, patent application publications, and patent applications:

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In the specification and/or figures, typical embodiments of the invention have been disclosed. The present invention is not limited to such exemplary embodiments. The use of the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The figures are schematic representations and so are not necessarily drawn to scale. Unless otherwise noted, specific terms have been used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. 

1. An illuminator comprising: a support frame arranged symmetrically around an optical axis of an optical sensor; at least one light bar connected to the support frame, each light bar having two opposing ends, two opposing edges, a front face, and a back face; at least one light source connected to the support frame, each light source configured to direct light towards one of the opposing ends of one of the at least one light bar; and a peripheral cover configured to receive light emitted from the front face of each light bar, the peripheral cover further configured to emit dark field illumination at a low incident angle with respect to a plane perpendicular to the optical axis and to emit bright field illumination at a high incident angle with respect to the plane perpendicular to the optical axis.
 2. The illuminator of claim 1, further comprising a light guiding device arranged between the support frame and the peripheral cover.
 3. The illuminator of claim 2, wherein the light guiding device comprises a plurality of slits arranged adjacent to the at least one light bar, the slits configured to allow light to pass from the at least one light bar to the peripheral cover.
 4. The illuminator of claim 2, wherein the light guiding device is configured to prevent light from passing directly from the at least one light source to the peripheral cover.
 5. The illuminator of claim 1, wherein the support frame comprises a top panel, a right panel, a bottom panel, and a left panel arranged symmetrically around the optical axis.
 6. The illuminator of claim 5, wherein the at least one light bar includes four light bars, a first light bar connected to the top panel of the support frame, a second light bar connected to the right panel of the support frame, a third light bar connected to the bottom panel of the support frame, and a fourth light bar connected to the left panel of the support frame.
 7. The illuminator of claim 1, wherein the at least one light source includes two light sources associated with each light bar, a first light source configured to emit light towards a first end of the respective light bar and a second light source configured to emit light towards a second end of the respective light bar.
 8. The illuminator of claim 1, wherein the at least one light source comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs).
 9. The illuminator of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one light bar includes a plurality of cylindrical light-reflecting elements configured to reflect light from the opposing ends of the respective light bar to the front face of the respective light bar.
 10. The illuminator of claim 9, wherein the cylindrical light-reflecting elements are arranged on the back face of the respective light bar.
 11. The illuminator of claim 9, wherein the cylindrical light-reflecting elements comprise cylinders having different radii.
 12. The illuminator of claim 1, wherein the optical sensor is a barcode scanner.
 13. The illuminator of claim 12, wherein the barcode scanner is configured to read direct part marking (DPM) symbology on the surface of an object.
 14. A barcode scanner comprising: a sensor configured to read a barcode on a surface of an object, the sensor being defined by an optical axis; and an illuminator configured to provide dark field illumination at a low incident angle with respect to a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the sensor and to provide bright field illumination at a high incident angle with respect to the plane perpendicular to the optical axis; wherein the illuminator comprises: a support frame arranged symmetrically around the optical axis of the sensor; a plurality of light bars connected to the support frame, each light bar having two opposing ends, two opposing edges, a front face, and a back face; a plurality of pairs of light sources connected to the support frame, each pair of the light sources configured to direct light towards opposing ends of a respective light bar; a peripheral cover configured to receive light emitted from the front face of each light bar and to emit dark field illumination and bright field illumination; and a light guiding device arranged between the support frame and the peripheral cover.
 15. The barcode scanner of claim 14, wherein the light guiding device comprises a plurality of slits arranged adjacent to the plurality of light bars, the slits configured to allow light to pass from the plurality of light bars to the peripheral cover.
 16. The barcode scanner of claim 14, wherein the light guiding device is configured to prevent light from passing directly from the plurality of pairs of light sources to the peripheral cover.
 17. The barcode scanner of claim 14, wherein the plurality of light bars includes first, second, third, and fourth light bars, and wherein the support frame of the illuminator comprises a top panel connected to the back face of the first light bar, a right panel connected to the back face of the second light bar, a bottom panel connected to the back face of the third light bar, and a left panel connected to the back face of the fourth light bar.
 18. The barcode scanner of claim 14, wherein the light sources are light emitting diodes (LEDs), and wherein each light bar includes a plurality of cylindrical light-reflecting elements configured to reflect light from the opposing ends of the respective light bar to the front face of the respective light bar.
 19. The barcode scanner of claim 18, wherein the cylindrical light-reflecting elements of each light bar comprise cylinders having different radii arranged on the back face of the respective light bar.
 20. The barcode scanner of claim 14, wherein the sensor is configured to read direct part marking (DPM) symbology on the surface of an object. 